Be responsible to avert road accidents: PM
BSS, Dhaka
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday called upon all including the drivers and pedestrians to be responsible in using the roads to avoid accidents while opening a number of development projects. Everyone should be sensible to use the roads to avoid accidents, she said. The premier opened 1.2-km Bhulta Flyover on Dhaka-Sylhet highway, Patia Bypass Road, Satkhira Town Bypass Road, Aldi Bazar Bridge, Banar Bridge on Mymensingh-Gafargaon-Toak district highway and replacement of 13 bridges with permanent construction through a video conferencing at her official residence Ganabhaban.
The prime minister said It will not be wise to hold only drivers responsible for road accidents. Everyone including the drivers and road users should be conscious while driving vehicles and crossing the streets. Referring to the law regarding road safety enacted by her government, she said that everyone should follow the traffic rules and regulations. The premier stressed the need for introducing education on traffic rules and regulations at school levels and said, Students should know which sides of the roads will have to be taken to move.
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Obaidul Quader spoke on the occasion while PMs Principal Secretary Md Nojibur Rahman moderated the function. Road Transport and Highway Division Secretary Nazrul Islam delivered a brief presentation on the development projects on the occasion. The prime minister exchanged views with local lawmakers, administrative officers and distinguished personalities of Munshiganj, Narayanganj, Satkhira, Chattogram and Mymensing districts through the video conferencing at the function.
Meanwhile, a UNB report said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday vowed to make the railway a profitable sector saying that the government is working to bring the whole country under railway network. We want to show those who once wanted to shut down the non-profitable rail routes that these can be made profitable and modernised as well as all sorts of scope and facility for the people, including goods transport can be created through the railway, she said.
The Prime Minister made the vow while flagging off the intercity train Kurigram Express on the Kurigram-Dhaka-Kurigram route and launching newly-imported coaches of Rangpur Express and Lalmoni Express through a videoconferencing from her official residence Ganabhaban.
Sheikh Hasina said the railway is most popular among the common and middle-class people, but the BNP government had planned to shut down rail routes following the suggestion of international organisations saying that it was not profitable. I think it was a suicidal decision for our country because the common people choose rail for their communication. Its essential for a country to have rail, water, air and road transport system, she said.
The Prime Minister said her government has been implementing a massive programme to spread railway connectivity to every division including Barishal. Weve constructed many new rail routes and repaired many old rail lines, she added. Our goal is to bring entire Bangladesh, even the southern part of the country, under railway network, she said adding that the government will extend the railway network to Barishal, Mongla in Bagerhat, and Payra Port in Patuakhali.
Weve a plan to construct speedy railways, said the Prime Minister.
While talking to the locals of Lalmonirhat, she said the government is establishing Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Aviation and Aerospace University (BSMRAAU) in the northern district.
The Prime Minister hoped that Bangladesh will be able to make helicopters, planes and fighter planes from the aeronautical centre in Lalmonirhat in future as it can now build and export ships.
